Aristolochiacece. 399 



reniform leaves and small solitary pedunculate lurid-purple 

 flowers. Perianth regular, cainpanulate, trilobate. Stamens 12. 

 Capsule bursting irregularly. 



The Piperacece or Pepper Order contains upwards of 500 

 species, but, with the exception of a Japanese species, none 

 will flourish in the open air in this country. They are erect 

 shrubs, or trees, or herbs with jointed stems, usually alternate 

 simple-nerved leaves, and spicate inconspicuous flowers and 

 1 -seeded berries. 



Piper Futokadsiira is the Japanese species alluded to above. 

 It is a deciduous shrub or tree with slender branches, ovate- 

 lanceolate acuminate entire glabrous leaves, and bright red 

 fruits. 



ORDER C EUPHORBIACE.3B. 



Taken in its entirety this is a very large order, and many of 

 the tropical genera have a distinct calyx and corolla ; but the 

 following diagnosis includes only those genera coming within 

 our province. Herbs with a milky juice, or shrubs, or trees. 

 Leaves alternate or opposite, simple. Flowers inconspicuous, 

 unisexual, often involucrate. Perianth none, or 2- to 5-lobed. 

 Stamens 1 or more, sometimes very numerous. Fruit capsular, 



2- or 3-celled ; cells 1- or 2-seeded ; seeds pendulous, albu- 

 minous, 



1. EUPHORBIA. 



The hardy species are annual or perennial herbs, often 

 woody at the base. Leaves opposite or scattered. Inflorescence 

 terminal, umbellate or panicled. Flowers involucrate, several 

 male and one female in each head. Perianth none, but re- 

 presented by the involucral lobes, the latter having thick often 

 viscid glands in the sinuses. Male flower consisting 'of a 

 solitary stamen on a jointed stalk. Female flower naked, on 

 an elongating stalk ; capsule 3-lobed, 3-celled, each cell 

 containing a solitary pendulous seed. This is a vast genus, 

 comprising 700 species of widely different habit and aspect, 

 occurring in all regions except the coldest. The name is the 

 same applied by the ancient Greeks to some of the species. 



1. E. Lathyris. Caper Spurge. A biennial 3 to 4 feet 

 high with opposite glabrous and glaucous sessile lanceolate- 

 oblong acute leaves rounded or cordate at the base. Umbels 



3- or 4-rayed ; involucral bracts large, cordate. Capsule 



